Y - 79 "The Youngsters" prototype

mm

CAP: This is the prototype for "The Youngsters". This is the block that was submitted to Artists in Cellophane to show the changes that were made to the "Penciled In" series.

Y - 78 "Matty"

CAP: Just about every Matt or Matthew I have ever met has been some sort of very creative artist or musician or otherwise colorful character.

When Juana and I make sets for this series we always make a few extra. One needs to be a prototype and then we each keep one. This is the one I kept and his name is Matty.

Y - 77 "Robert"

CAP: I'm not sure why exactly, but when I look at this guy he makes me think "Robert".

I like plenty of singers and actors named Robert and I've often wanted to name a new cat Robert, but I never have...but I like the name.

Y - 76

CAP: This is the one that Juana kept. She ought to be the one to name him.

Y - 75 "Kylie"

CAP: When these Wolfy Jr. drawings are colored with mostly browns, they look more like foxes to me. And since I was watching "The Fantastic Mr. Fox" again today, that is where this name comes from...even though I am well aware that it was not a fox name.

It's funny. That is one of those movies I thought I wouldn't like. You know, the kind that gets talked about forever before it actually gets released and you see clips of it and everyone just loves it. And I am not at all a George Clooney fan but I really enjoy this film. AND, on top of everything else that I like about it, I had no idea before I saw the film the first time that Jason Schwartzman had such a perfect character in it.

I've also become kinda addicted to Wes Anderson films the last few years...I've tried not to like them, but I do.

Whew. So there you go. This kid's name is Kylie.

Y - 74 "Star"

CAP: "You're a shining star, no matter who you are..."

Y - 73 "Bean"

CAP: You can reference the "Kylie" post for the full explanation, but let's just say I was influenced today by the film "The Fantastic Mr. Fox".

I know that "Bean" is not the name of a robot in the film, but I liked the name and I like it for this little robot.

Y - 72 "Eloise"

CAP: This is Eloise.

I have always loved the name. My favorite aunt was Aunt Eloise.

I really like the song "Eloise" as performed by Barry Ryan and also The Damned.

Y - 71 "Hooker"

CAP: This is Hooker...cuz he hooked her (Terri, his new owner) and because I like the song "Boom! Boom!" by John Lee Hooker.

Y - 70 "Winter"

CAP: This is my second favorite Wolfy, Jr.

This is Winter. I like his color combination.

I am a "winter baby", too. My birthday is in January. I like the cold okay, but I am not overly thrilled about driving in the snow. I don't mind shoveling it or snowblowing it. Winter doesn't get me down or depress me. I like Winter just fine... good thing, living in Michigan.

Y - 69 "Chloe"

CAP: Chloe wants to be a trick rider cowgirl in the rodeo when she grows up. Or a country western singer. She loves shiny pink clothes with plenty of sequins.

Y - 68 "Bernard"

CAP: Why is this little guy reminding me of Dr. Bombay from Bewitched? Dunno.

Y - 67 "Ruby"

CAP: Ruby's favorite designer is the delightful Betsey Johnson. Ruby spends all of her allowance as soon as she gets it...but you should see her wardrobe!

Y - 66 "Reid"

CAP: Reid is named for Terry Reid...one of my favorite singers. And hey, doesn't this guy kinda resemble Terry in the video?

Plus, he looks like he is standing in a reedy
(or maybe bamoo-y) place...
humming his favorite Terry Reid song.

Y - 65 "Bianca"

CAP: This was the runner up for the block from this set that I was going to keep. I really really like it and I think it goes well with the monster that I did keep.

I believe it is in the machine at the "A Group of Girls" group art show at the Woods Gallery and when I go to change the art in the machine on Monday I think I am going to have to buy it for myself if it is still there.

I know...I am a big ol' cheaty pants...but Bianca and Matty need to be together on my monster wall of art. I hope it's in that machine!




UPDATE: YAY! Bianca WAS in the machine! They are hanging out together on my wall of monster art now!

Y - 64 "Isabelle"

CAP: There was a show called "Huff" on tv a while back. One of my favorite characters in that series was Huff's mom, Isabelle (although they called her Izzy more often). I really love that character, played by Blythe Danner and I really like the name.

Y - 63 "Volt"

CAP: I like this robot. I like his eyes and the electricity and that it looks like he is vibrating.

His name is Volt.

Y - 62 "Violet"

CAP: This is Violet. A sweet little polar bear girly girl.

What have I got to say about "violet"? Hmmm...

Well first off, this sweetie is not named for Violet Beauregarde. But I do really like the violet chewing gum (that I can't remember the name of) that they sell at Solid Grounds Coffeehouse in Northville, MI.

Second...When we were kids, our mom took us to the Farmer's Market and there was always somebody with a basketful of kittens they were trying to give away. Of course, we were never allowed to get a kitten (insert an image of me stamping a foot petulantly) but we did get to choose a flower to take home and plant. One of the first ones I ever chose was a violet and it eventually spread all over the yard. Ha ha.

Third...I just like the sound of the word violet.

Y - 61 "Clara"

CAP: Clara caught the acting bug. She had the lead in her school play and now she yearns for the bigger brighter lights of Broadway.

Y - 60 "Edward"

CAP: I like the name Edward. I like this goat and his stripes and colors.

The name Edward reminds me of the corgi in the movie "The Accidental Tourist". And also one of my favorite artists: Edward Gorey.

Y - 59 "Tansy"

CAP: This sweet kitten's name is Tansy.

Tansy is an herb and you can find out about it here.

I just like the sound of the word and thought that it fit the character.

Y - 58 "Pretzel"

CAP: This is Pretzel.

I just like the name and his coloring (even the white parts that remind me of salt) makes me think of pretzels.

Y - 57 "Ursula"

CAP: This is Ursula. Her name means "little bear".

Y - 56 "Fuschia"

CAP: This is Fuschia.

I got the name from Mervyn Peake's Gormenghast. I have only seen the movie...so that is my point of reference.

Lady Fuschia: [dancing along] I am Fuchsia! I am me! Don't be frightened, wait and see!

Y - 55 "Bergamot"

CAP: This girl is named Bergamot.

Bergamot (berg-a-mah) is a lovely, fragrant perennial that blooms from midsummer to early fall. It looks great in a wildflower meadow and is frequently used in conservation projects and roadside planting.

Bergamot is used in potpourris and teas and it attracts hummingbirds, butterflies and bees.

Y - 54 "Freddy"

CAP: This is Freddy. Freddy Panda. A nice enough guy.

In real life, a guy named Freddy owes me a big one.

Y - 53 "Desdemona"

CAP: This cute little girly monster is Desdemona.

She is named for the song by Marc Bolan & John's Children.
I love Marc Bolan and although I am not crazy about John's Children, I do love the "d-d-d-Desdemona-aaaah" part of the song.

Y - 52 "Crayon"

CAP: This is Crayon. He loves to color on the walls.

note: be careful what you name your young robots

Y - 51 "Hansel"

CAP: Hansel is a silvery little bear outside of the witch's stripey peppermint cottage deep in the Deep Wood.

Y - 50 "Meg"

CAP: This is Meg. Meg means "pearl".

Which calls to mind "Pearly Queen" by Traffic.

The two are not especially related, but I like Traffic and I like this song.

Y - 49 "Meadow"

CAP: Meadow is usually frolicking outside in the meadow, but has come in to pose by this cool checkerboard.

Y - 48 "Florence"

CAP: Florence (for me) comes from the tv show "The Magic Roundabout"...a show I really like. Florence doesn't have a very big part in this episode, but you can still see her.

Y - 47 "Snow"

CAP: This little lamb's name is Snow. Easy enough to see why. I still haven't determined (for myself) if this is a boy or a girl.

Y - 46 "Roland"

CAP: I like this Wolfy, Jr. I like his colors.

I also just like the name Roland. No particular reason why.

Y - 45 "Jasper"

CAP: This is Jasper, like the gemstone. Look at all of those luscious colors in there.

Y - 44 "Heidi"

CAP: Yep...I'm a "Project Runway" fan. I didn't even know who Heidi Klum was before I saw that show, but now I really like her. She cracks me up.

Y - 43 "Derek"

CAP: Oh, there are so many reasons for liking the name Derek...too many to list. I was wrestling with the names Derek and Dirk and went with Derek.

Y - 42 "Addy"

CAP: No particular reason for naming this panda Addy, other than I just like the name and this panda looked like a girl to me.

Y - 41 "Angus"

CAP: Say hello to Angus. I think Angus is just adorable! And the idea of a young plaid monster with a Scottish accent really appeals to me.

Y - 40 "Polly"

CAP: One of my favorite skaters for Detroit Derby Girls is very fond of giraffes. She was the inspiration for this character, so I am naming this giraffe Polly...for Polly Fester. Polly skates for the D-Funk Allstars and the DDG Travel Team.

Y - 39 "Ribbon"

CAP: This sweety puts me in mind of expensive silk ribbon.

I think he'd be cute with an elegant poofy bow tie.

Y - 38 "Jane"

CAP: For me, the name Jane conjures up two songs from Nick Drake.

Hazey Jane I and Hazey Jane II.

Y - 37 "Emily"

CAP: I'm naming this adorable monster girl after local artist Emily Slade. click on Emi's photo to go to her website

Emily is bubbly and vibrant and just a delight. Her artwork is awesome. And, I think the colors and the overall look fit.




p.s. I LOVE that wood pattern background!

Y - 36 "Orson"

CAP: Guess what the name Orson means.

Yep, "bear cub".

Y - 35 "Rosemary"

CAP: Rosemary is one of those classic names that I have always loved.

Y - 34 "Keoki"

CAP: A cute name for a cute Panda. Keoki.

Y - 33 "Yardley"

CAP: Although this young polar bear looks more like a boy than a girl (to me) I am still calling him Yardley.

I always loved all of those Yardley of London items from my teenage years -- like the Slickers lipsticks. We'd buy them and then not use them. I loved the packaging and the ads. [insert heavy sigh]

Y - 32 "Wyatt"

CAP: This is Wyatt. He is named for Robert Wyatt.